How New Build Homes Can Go Green

Many industries are becoming greener each year, focusing on sustainable and renewable materials and methods. The housing industry has begun to take note as well, introducing many eco-friendly elements into the construction of new homes. Yet there is still plenty of space for new build homes and the industry to go even greener. Buildings are generally fairly green, as they can be used again and again, resold through property auctions from Allsop and other ways. To solve the housing crisis though, new build homes need to be produced, though they can go green in many ways.

Stay Small

The smaller the home the less energy it will require to remain warm or cool down. New properties should bear this in mind, as unless they are apartments in a big block of flats, they will also cost a lot more to achieve the optimum temperature. Of course, all new builds still need to be attractive to potential buyers, so avoid making them too cramped, but keeping things small will make them cost-effective and eco-friendly.

Sustainable Materials

Brick and concrete are some of the most popular building materials used in construction but they aren’t the most sustainable. Instead, with new builds more needs to be done with using sustainable building materials. Given that new trees can be replanted, wood is always a good option though it needs to be from a sustainable source (and avoid creating a fire hazard). Recycled plastic is another and there are all sorts of areas which can use sustainable material, from roofing to walls and more.

Lighting

Both indoor and exterior lighting use a lot of energy illuminating the home. All new builds should therefore employ LED lighting as an energy efficient alternative, as especially during winter they will be on a lot of the time using energy. LED bulbs can be up to 80% more energy efficient than incandescent versions and have a longer life, making them a much more cost-effective option for homeowners as well.

Insulation

Heating and cooling a property can make up around 50% of all energy bills, so focusing on making these areas efficient is both good for the environment and wallets. Proper insulation will ensure this. Along with cavity wall and loft insulation, simply building properties which have no air leaks around windows and doors will make a big difference. Along with building a smaller property, this should maximise the effectiveness of the new build property to keep cool or warm when required.

Solar Panels

Finally, all new homes in the right location for exposure to the sun should be built with solar panels on the roof or in the garden. This is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be used to power electric items in the house, reducing energy bills and emissions. Depending on which country the new build is being constructed, there may also be government incentives for including solar panels with the property.

These points can all ensure more new build properties are as green as possible, improving our environment and reducing the energy costs for new homeowners.